Kingswood Regional High School students learn art of Taiko drumming

WOLFEBORO — The Wolfeboro Friends of Music hosted Stuart Paton of Burlington Taiko, at Kingswood Regional High School on Jan. 6 and 7. The two-day clinic was primarily presented to the cast of Kingswood Theater’s “The Last Firefly,” as well as many other students of the Kingswood Arts Center.

Paton, founder and artistic director, spent the better part of two days teaching 20 high school students the art, history and culture of Taiko. Paton spent most of his childhood in Japan from age 9 months through 18 years.

His formal study of Taiko began in 1984 during a summer apprenticeship with Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka, founder of San Francisco Taiko Dojo — the first Taiko group in North America. In 1986, not long after settling in Vermont, he founded the Burlington Taiko Group.

The Wolfeboro Friends of Music sponsored Paton’s two-day educational event for Kingswood’s performing arts students. Kingswood’s production of “The Last Firefly,” which uses Taiko drumming in its storytelling, debuts on the Kingswood Arts Center stage and at the NHETG Theatre Festival in March of this year. Paton’s instruction is a key first step to the students’ production.

“This is precisely why the Kingswood Arts Center was built,” said theater director and Arts Center Coordinator Scott Giessler. “I am just so incredibly grateful for the generosity of The Friends of Music, and their willingness to provide this opportunity for our students. The amount of knowledge imparted to our students in just two short days was nothing short of stunning. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Paton has established an artistic style that combines movement, rhythm, voice, and the efficient and graceful movement of chi, or “energy,” from the player to the drum. His affection for the group dynamic of Taiko is evident both when he performs at the most advanced level, and when he instructs the most novice players.

“The Last Firefly” will debut on Friday, March 13, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. in the Kingswood Arts Center.

For more information, visit kingswoodchildrenssummertheatre.org.